Trump Continues Litigious Tactics, Threatens Lawsuits Against Harvard and Trevor Noah

The former president's history of filing and threatening lawsuits spans decades, from real estate disputes to election-related claims.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Donald Trump has long been known for his litigious nature, frequently threatening and filing lawsuits against individuals, institutions, and even the government. This pattern has continued during and after his time as president, with the latest targets being Harvard University and comedian Trevor Noah. Trump's history of using the courts to seek revenge and counter negative publicity dates back to the 1970s, when he and his father were accused of violating the Fair Housing Act. Since then, Trump has sued over a wide range of issues, from business deals to election-related claims, often generating headlines in the process.

Why it matters

Trump's reliance on lawsuits and legal threats is seen by some as an abuse of the judicial system, with one judge describing him as the "mastermind of strategic abuse of the judicial process." This pattern raises questions about the appropriate use of the courts and whether Trump's tactics undermine the rule of law.

The details

Trump's litigious history includes suing the federal government for $100 million in the 1970s over housing discrimination allegations, suing a Chicago Tribune critic for $500 million in the 1980s, and suing author Timothy O'Brien for $5 billion in the 2000s over claims about his net worth. More recently, Trump sued Hillary Clinton and others in 2022 over alleged conspiracy to cost him the 2016 election, a lawsuit that was later dismissed. Trump has also secured settlements from news networks ABC and CBS over coverage of his presidency.

  • In the early 1970s, the Trump Organization was accused of violating the Fair Housing Act.
  • In the early 1980s, Trump sued rent-controlled tenants he wanted to evict from a building he owned.
  • In 2005, Trump sued author Timothy O'Brien over claims about his net worth.
  • In 2022, Trump sued Hillary Clinton and others over alleged conspiracy to cost him the 2016 election.
  • In 2024 and 2025, Trump secured settlements from ABC News and CBS over coverage of his presidency.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, known for his frequent use of lawsuits and legal threats as a real estate developer, businessman, and politician.

Roy Cohn

Trump's lawyer and mentor who helped him counter the government's housing discrimination case in the 1970s.

Timothy O'Brien

The author of the book "TrumpNation: The Art of Being the Donald," which alleged that Trump was not a billionaire.

Donald Middlebrooks

The U.S. District Judge who described Trump as the "mastermind of strategic abuse of the judicial process" and dismissed his lawsuit against Hillary Clinton and others.

Trevor Noah

The comedian who connected Trump to Jeffrey Epstein during a Grammy Awards show, prompting Trump's threat to "have some fun" with him.

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What they’re saying

“I'd rather fight than fold, because as soon as you fold once, you get the reputation of being a folder.”

— Donald Trump ("Art of the Deal")

“This case should never have been brought. A continuing pattern of misuse of the courts by Mr. Trump and his lawyers undermines the rule of law.”

— Donald Middlebrooks, U.S. District Judge (Court order dismissing Trump's lawsuit against Hillary Clinton)

What’s next

The judge in the case against Harvard University will decide whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed.

The takeaway

Trump's reliance on lawsuits and legal threats, which he has employed for decades, raises concerns about the appropriate use of the judicial system and whether his tactics undermine the rule of law. This pattern of behavior highlights the former president's willingness to use the courts to seek revenge and counter negative publicity, even long after leaving office.